This second blog entry follows the exciting (and relieving!) recent news that our project has been successful in our bid to the HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) for funding to support the completion of the galleries. As well as a reason for celebration, this achievement provides a good moment to briefly reflect on how far the project has already come since its initial inception back in November 2009.

By Christopher Wilk, Keeper, Furniture, Textiles & Fashion Department. In an installation commissioned for Tate Britain’s major Kurt Schwitters exhibition, the artist Adam Chodzko has reconfigured the V&A’s Kaufmann Office designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed in 1937, the office was used by Edgar Kaufmann in his Pittsburgh department store until his death […]

Did you know that Henry Cole (1808-1882), the V&A’s first director, started his professional career as an archivist – ‘sub-commissioner’ was his actual job title – in the Records Commission (the forerunner of the National Archives)?

by Marisa Smith, Programme Manager, Workshops and Events.To complement the major exhibition Hollywood Costumes, the V&A worked with Synergy Theatre Project to deliver on-site costume design classes for ex prisoners. These 4 sessions were designed to give an insight into the role of the costume designer, with particular focus upon the collaborative nature of this profession.

Guest bloge entry by Bryony Bartlett-RawlingsFigure 1: V&A inventory number 29876.4Juan Dolívar after Jean Bérain the ElderPossibly after a tapestry design by Jean Bérain the Elder1685-1693Every year around Valentine’s Day images of Cupid begin to appear on cards and in shops advertising gifts to buy for our loved ones.

By Sue PrichardWhen I agreed to give the lunchtime lecture ‘Making Love at the V&A’ I had no idea the title would generate such a flurry of anticipation, and indeed trepidation. 'Timeout’ appeared to be a little disappointed, describing it as ‘perhaps unfortunately not what it sounds like’. One member of the audience made no bones about it ‘I hope this isn’t going to be embarrassing’. Oh dear – who would have thought that such a short word could create such havoc.